[Mrs. Lillywhite Investigates 04] - A Body Among the Roses by Emily Queen

Author:Emily Queen [Queen, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 49948404
Published: 2020-01-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Rosemary dipped her brush in a splotch of forest-green paint and applied it to her canvas with careful strokes. She peered across the pond behind Woolridge House, relishing the moment of peace. She loved working outdoors with only the smell of turpentine to keep her company. She changed brushes and switched her attention to the foreground of her painting, where she dabbed in a few boulders and the small pile of flat rocks that she suspected Nelly and Desmond had left behind the day before.

As if thinking about him had summoned him forth, she spied Desmond walking across the lawn towards her.

“That’s coming along beautifully,” he said, gesturing to the painting.

“I’d like to get Nelly to sit out here for me, but I doubt I can get him to settle for that long. Father wants a more traditional portrait, I expect, anyhow,” Rose replied, biting her lip as she stood back to appraise her work. She laid the brush back down and took a seat next to Desmond on the large, flat stone that had been the topic of much debate between her parents. Cecil believed the stone made a perfect spot to sit and overlook the pond, while her mother believed it detracted from the view.

“How have you been keeping?” Desmond asked. “We haven’t had the opportunity to speak since I arrived and everything went to hell in a handbasket.”

Rosemary wished people would stop asking her how she felt, but didn’t say so because she knew it came from a place of concern, and after all, there had been a murder in her backyard two days prior.

“I’m fine, Des.” She repeated the phrase for what felt like the millionth time.

An awkward silence followed, and Desmond finally sighed and got to the point. “I miss you, and I’m sorry if I upset you in Cyprus. However, I don’t regret what I said or what I did.”

As enlightened and liberated as she might consider herself, Rosemary’s face still flamed when Desmond referred to the kiss they had shared. “I don’t regret that moment, either; I’m simply not ready for anything more. I hope that’s all right with you, because your friendship is important to me.”

It was the truth, and it was the second time since arriving in Pardington that Rosemary had been forced to dash a man’s hopes.

Desmond nodded and swallowed hard. “Of course,” he said, always a gentleman. “I understand. Friends we will be until you decide otherwise. And you will decide otherwise, Rose. I have faith.”

Unsure how to answer, Rosemary was relieved when she heard the crunch of tires that indicated an auto was making its way up the drive. Relieved, at least, until she remembered that the SPEV women were slated to hold a meeting that afternoon.

“I suppose I ought to go save Vera from having to deal with the vipers by herself. I’m not at all looking forward to this,” Rosemary explained, tidying up her easel. “I’d better go wash up and change first, or I’ll never hear the end of it.

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